Bougainvillea plant

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Bougainvillea plant which we discovered in Stockdale, Wilson County, Texas. The cultivar name of the new Bougainvillea plant is P J Weeping Beauty.

The new plant is a variegated sport of the B. glabra Sanderiana variety.This sport is distinguished by its exceptionally fine-stems, small andmedium sized leaves, cascading branches, compact growth relative toother varieties of B. glabra Sanderiana, with a weeping appearance. Theextremely fine stem and the denseness of the foliage leave the lavenderbracts as the only common feature between the parent plant and thesport.

The leaves are oval-shaped with definite pointed tips. Some leavesalternate on opposed sides of the stem while other leaves appeardirectly across from each other. The leaves are one-quarter inch (1/4")apart to one inch (1") apart with as many as ten (10) leaves in a twoinch (2") space giving an extremely dense and full appearance. The sizesof the leaves range from one-half inch (1/2")×one and one-half inch(11/2") to one and one-quarter inch (11/4")×three inches (3"). Theleaves are variegated having a green colored, irregularly-shaped centerwith cream colored outside edges such that they each exhibit a differentpattern.

The stem is extremely fine and varies from a light green color in newgrowth to a tan color in the old wood. There are fewer thorns than occuron other varieties of B. glabra Sanderiana and those that do occur aresmall and very soft.

Because of the fineness of the stem, a young plant will only grow to aheight of approximately four to six inches before bending over andcascading downward. This bending is unlike the upward growth of other,bush-type varieties of B. glabra. Due to this downward bending, afive-year old plant will reach a height of only ten to twelve inches.The stem will grow to a length of approximately 24 to 36 inches, andwill be approximately four millimeters in diameter at its base and onemillimeter in diameter at the tip.

The bloom is one inch (1") long by one-quarter inch (1/4") across thetop with a lavender throat blending into a cream colored top.

The bracts are lavender, three-quarter inch (3/4")×one and one-half inch(11/2), oval shaped with pointed tips.

THE PLANT

Origin: Sport of Bougainvillea. Botanic classification: Bougainvilleaglabra Sanderiana.

Form: Vine-like bush

Foliage: Abundant variegated.

Size of leaf: One half inch (1/2") to one and one-quarter inch(11/4")×three (3) inch.

Shape of leaf: Oval with definite pointed tips.

Size of stem: Four millimeters in diameter at base of stem, onemillimeter at tip; twenty-four to thirty-six inches in length.

Color:

Leaves.--Green center with cream colored outside edges.

Bracts.--Lavender.

Bloom.--A lavender throat blending into a cream colored top.

Bracts.--Plate 41 K 6.

Bloom.--Plate 9 I1.

Leaves.--Green plate 24 L 1, plate 9 I 1.

Stem.--Plate 22 L 4.

"Dictionary of Color" by Maerz and Paul.

We have asexually reproduced our new Bougainvillea variety for fiveyears and eight generations through rooted cuttings grown by us in ournursery in Stockdale, Wilson County, Texas. The aforementionedcharacteristics and distinctions come true and are established andtransmitted through succeeding propagations.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Bougainvillea plant,substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularlyas to novelty by its variegated leaves having green centers and creamcolored outside edges, lavender throated cream-colored blooms, densenessof leaves, fineness of stems, compact growth, and cascading branches.